Anthony Walker (Brewster Academy/ 2019) dunks it home in the senior game
*- Games MVP
The unthinkable happened this past Saturday. A basketball event featuring the brightest boys basketball players from the high school level under one roof with no political involvement whatsoever. Yes Prep Hoops Maryland Senior Contributor Colby Giacubeno pulled off a miracle. What unfolded was one of the more beautifully executed events I’ve covered in a while. As for the talent on hand of the inaugural Super 80 Showcase, needless to say, the future of Baltimore basketball is in great hands. The Super 80 Showcase brought twenty of the top high school basketball players from each of the 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 classes. It was a great chance to get an early glimpse at what’s to come this upcoming high school season in and around Baltimore. As always, certain players separated themselves from the pack and proved they should be among the first names mention when it comes to who to watch in Baltimore high school hoops. Allow me to shine light on who those players are.
2022 –
Carlos Alexander/ 5’11/ Point Guard/ St. Frances/ Team Thrill –
Flashy floor general who is as competitive as they come. An all-around threat at point guard, Alexander filled the stat sheet in the freshman game, finishing with 16 points (10 free throws), 4 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assist and a block. A Kyrie’esque finisher when driving to the cup due to his ability to finish with either hand, making him a tough cover. Once he adds a reliable jumper, 20-25 point games will become a nightly deal.
Kai Brooks/ 5’11/ Point Guard/ City/ Team Thrill –
Shot the lights out in the freshman game, knocking down six 3-pointers on the way to finishing with 22 points. Fearless shooter at point guard who takes what the defense gives him. If you give him space, he will light you up with his pure jumper. If you send doubles he can find teammates as well. It’s a pick your poison situation with Brooks. Adding strength and learning defensive nuances will take his game to the next level.
* Antonio Hamlin/ 6’2/ Guard/ Mount St. Joseph/ Team Thrill –
Freshman game MVP did whatever he wanted, posting 22 points, 6 assist and 4 rebounds in leading the white team to victory. Hamlin attacked the basket all game long scoring 14 of his 22 points in the paint. Yet, the rare time he was in trouble with the ball, he made timely passes to teammates for easy scores. Tough nosed- Gritty guard who will have no problems adjusting to the physicality once he suits up at Mount St Joseph this winter.
Andrew Rheubottom/ 6’3/ G-F/ City/ Team Thrill
Double double machine and among the best in his class, nearly finished with another one, posting 14 points and a game high 9 rebounds. Dangerous shooter from mid-range, especially working out of the high post, solid ball handler and a relentless rebounder. Rheubottom versatility will pay immediate dividends next season at City.
Adam Walden/ 6’9/ Center/ St Frances/ Team BBC –
Ultra-Talented big that’s just scratching the surface of his immense potential. While still a bit raw offensively, he is fluid and athletic enough to finish in traffic strong and make good decisions passing the ball. Walden is also a force defensively where he blocks and alters shots without fouling while being a monster on the boards. As he develops and puts everything together, he will become a coveted prospect down the line.
Cameron Whitmore/ 6’4/ Guard/ Archbishop Spalding/ Team Melo –
Whitmore may be the most talented player in the 2022 class in the long run. A swiss army knife player, Whitmore impacts the game in so many ways that it will be difficult to game plan for him. Finishing with 20 points and 7 rebounds, he was at his best leading the pack in transition where he either scored or found someone else to score. His length and athleticism allows him to be an impactful on ball defender and outstanding rebounder from the perimeter. Spalding could have another special one coming through their program. Stay tuned.
Christian Winborne/ 6’2/ Guard/ Gilman/ Team Thrill –
Pure shooter if there ever was one. Winborne can fill it up from all three levels. He can shoot it off the bounce, spot up and on the move in catch and shoot situations, which is impressive considering how young he is. Winborne scored 16 points in the freshman game.
2021 –
* Ryan Conway/ 6’1/ Guard/ Dulaney/ Team Melo –
Sophomore game MVP finished with a Super 80 Showcase high of 36 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assist, 3 steals and a block. Displaying a rapidly improving all around skill set to compliment his elite scoring ability. He still can improve at getting his teammates involved as he can get tunnel vision with getting his. Once Conway masters that aspect of being a point guard, there will be no way to stop him, although, it’s difficult to do now.
Trae English/ 5’11/ Point Guard/ Poly/ Team Melo –
What English lacks in size, he makes up for with his heart. English was a blur on the court, driving pass defenders all game on his way to 22 points. What you notice right away is he’s what I like to call “Baltimore Tough.” He gets hit or knocked to the ground, he bounces up, knocks down the free throws and comes right back on the attack. Playing for Sam Brand this winter, expect to see his entire game open up at point guard.
Byron Ireland/ 6’2/ Guard/ Annapolis/ Team Melo –
Crafty scorer from the guard position who put points on the board the rare times Conway didn’t. Ireland finished with an efficient 20 points and 5 rebounds to help lead the White team to victory. Expect major damage this winter at Annapolis.
Marlon Lewis/ 6’5/ G-F/ Woodlawn/Team BBC –
High motor, physical wing that won’t stop attacking until the game is over. While known as a slasher and defender, Lewis hit a couple 3-pointers on his way to a 16 point, 5 rebound outing. If he keeps on developing his perimeter skill set to match his defense and intangibles, he can be a steal for a college program.
Jeremiah Stanton/ 5’11/ Point Guard/ Gerstell/ Team Melo –
A small stocky point guard (Khalid El-Amin type) that is sneaky athletic, skilled and tough. Scored 12 points and dished out 3 assist in the sophomore game, what stood out was Stanton’s poise and efficiency scoring the ball. He looks ready to make a lot of noise this upcoming winter.
2020 –
Ace Baldwin/ 6’1/ Point Guard/ St Frances/ Team BBC –
A consummate point guard, Baldwin has every trait you would want in a floor general. Don’t even think about reaching handles, excellent court vision, I.Q., savvy defender and a steadily improving jumper, Baldwin who is arguably the top point guard in the area finished with 16 points (three 3-pointers), 5 steals and 2 assist in the junior game.
Zach Blackwell/ 6’2/ Guard/ Patterson/ Team Melo –
Lunch pail type of guard in the mold of a Marcus Smart, Blackwell was ferocious defensively while also showing he could get it done offensively as well. Strong aggressive guard caused multiple five second violations from outstanding on ball defense. He showed he can shoot from deep and finish well off the bounce in traffic as well. Posted 16 points (two 3-pointers) in the junior game.
Tyler Brelsford/ 6’2/ Guard/ Mount St. Joseph/ Team Melo –
Sniper from deep who is already elite at controlling the pace of the game, which came in handy late in leading the White team to victory in the junior game. Brelsford picks his spots to facilitate and score, yet when he does, he’s effective and efficient at both. Knocked down four three pointers on his way to 14 points for the game.
* Dominick Carrington/ 5’10/ Point Guard/ City/ Team Silk –
Carrington opened eyes with his MVP performance, hitting eight three pointers resulting in a game high 31 points. Every time the defense failed to find him, Carrington made them pay and it doesn’t take much for him to get hot. A speedy floor general who is also a willing defender, Carrington (if scouts/ coaches look beyond the eye test) should become a priority for college programs needing a point guard who can run a team and knock down shots.
Jermaine Goodwyn/ 6’2/ Guard/ Millford Mill –
Flat out scorer, one of those players where it just looks easy to put points on the board, regardless of who’s defending him. Needs to improve his strength and ability to make others better if he wants to go to another level. If he adds those things, along with becoming a more active defender, he will become one of the more lethal guards in the class. Finished with 15 points and 6 rebounds.
Isaac James/ 6’6/ G-F/ Undecided/ Team Thrill –
Athletic wing who is at his best operating from the mid-range in at this stage. Automatic from 15-18 feet while showing flashes of being equally as impactful from the post, James motor and court savvy allows him to make up for any size disadvantage when facing bigger post players. James finished with 14 points and 5 rebounds in the junior game, while more than holding his own in the deepest class of the event. An Underrated prospect that college programs should take a look at before it’s too late.
Justin Lewis/ 6’8/ Forward/ Poly/ Team Melo –
Man-child to say the least, Lewis is simply a force inside that few in the high school ranks have an answer for. Lewis is ferocious scoring inside preferring to dunk everything and on everybody. With his combination of athleticism and size, Lewis is highly effective on the boards and blocking shots. He runs the floor like a guard, he gets off the ground quick and he gets high. In the junior game of the showcase, it was business as usual as Lewis posted 14 points and 8 rebounds. Only knock on his game is for him to be a more consistent shooter, if he adds that, there will be no answer for him.
Jordan Toles/ 6’2/ Guard/ St Frances/ Team Thrill –
A highlight waiting to happen, Toles wowed the crowd at Randallstown with a FEW viral worthy dunks including a windmill where he was nearly eye level with the rim. A two way threat at guard, Toles is an excellent finisher who loves to attack off the bounce while also being an adequate on and off ball defender. He displayed all of this in the junior game, finishing with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 4 steals.
Jamal West/ 6’5/ G-F/ St Frances/ Team Thrill –
A lot of players like to say they improved over the summer, yet, when the season comes around it’s clear that they didn’t. This does not apply to Jamal West. West, who was seen as a good post player after averaging nearly 12 points and 17 rebounds to help lead Dunbar to a Maryland State Championship this past March, proved he has been working nonstop ever since in a 19 point, 6 rebound performance in the junior game. Displaying improved ball handling, shooting and athleticism, West was among the standout players at the Super 80 Showcase. At 6’5 with a 6’10 wingspan and now perimeter skill to compliment his inside game and athleticism, West will be moving up a lot of list as he suits up for powerhouse St Frances this upcoming season.
2019 –
James Bishop/ 6’2/ Guard/ Mount St. Joseph/ Team Thrill –
Bishop is a natural scorer and one of the best not just in the area, but the country. Bishop, fresh off of being the second leading scorer (22.8 points) on the Under Armour Association circuit, finished with 16 points in the senior game, scoring so efficiently that at times, he looked like he was alone in a gym…..and that was after he arrived a little late to the game. High major prospect, he recently cut down his college list from sixteen to six with Marquette, St John’s, LSU, Colorado, Seton Hall and VCU as the last standing offers being considered.
RJ Blakney/ 6’5/ G-F/ St Maria Goretti/ Team BBC –
The best athlete at the event regardless of class who also happens to be one of the best overall prospects. Blakney soared to 23 points and 10 rebounds showcasing an improved handle and on target mid-range jumper. While a mid-major target currently, Blakney has high major talent and the tools to possibly play after college.
Ben Carter/ 6’2/ Guard/ Mount Zion Prep/ Cecil Kirk –
Scrappy, tough as nails guard who helped lead Lake Clifton to a Maryland 2A State Championship last March. Carter, who will be doing a post grad year at Mount Zion Prep, brought that same intensity to the senior game. Carter finished with 24 points which was tied for the game high, 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Offensively, Carter made it a point to attack whoever was guarding relentlessly, scoring 19 of his points 15 feet in, while also bringing his physical style defense to the floor as well. Carter will make an immediate impact at Mount Zion.
Nigel Haughton/ 6’0/ Point Guard/ South Kent/ Team Thrill –
One of the best two way point guards in the area. Haughton is a rare player where his tenacious defense feeds his offensive impact instead of the other way around with most players. He can facilitate for others, score in bunches when his number is called and isn’t afraid to mix it up with some dirty work. The underrated Haughton finished with 21 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals in the senior game. He will do a post grad year at South Kent.
Da’Shawn Phillip/ 6’4/ Guard/ Mount Zion Prep/ Team BBC –
Highly skilled wing with point guard instincts. Phillips versatility is what makes him special. Lethal taking defenders off the bounce and finishing at the rim while being a solid mid-range shooter. Impactful rebounder and defender due to his length, Phillips can affect the game in many ways which was evident once again after his 15 point, 4 rebound, 3 steal, 2 assist and 2 block performance. Under the radar talent that should gain some national attention suiting up for Mount Zion Prep.
Will Thomas/ 6’5/ Shooting Guard/ Mervo/ Team Thrill –
Smooth shooting guard with sneaky athleticism. Thomas came out locked in from the opening tip knocking down his first two three pointers and he never looked back. He can score from all three levels, is a capable defender and solid rebounder. During the senior game where he posted 22 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assist, Thomas displayed flashes of being a very good playmaker as well, if he continues to improve in this area he can become one of the more complete guards in the area.
*- Anthony Walker/ 6’9/ Forward/ Brewster Academy/ Team BBC –
If professional team’s front offices had to select one player from this event as the player most likely to be a pro, it would’ve been Walker. The 6’9 forward earned MVP of the senior game after posting 24 points and 6 rebounds. Walker has the athleticism, length, instincts, toughness tailored made to shine at a high major program collegiately and beyond. Add in his improving all around skill set and the sky is truly the limit. Walker transferred to prep powerhouse Brewster Academy this summer after helping lead Perry Hall to the Maryland State 4A Championship back in March. Expect Walker to make a lot of noise nationally this upcoming season.
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